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Meth

What is methamphetamine (meth)?

Methamphetamine is a strong stimulant drug with high abuse potential. In fact, meth belongs to the amphetamine class of drugs with limited medical purposes; it appears in white, yellow or orange round tablets. People often use meth for recreational purposes and to fuel drug addiction.

Methamphetamine is a synthetic substance. Both illegal and legal methamphetamine are produced in laboratories. Illegal ‘rolling’ labs that clandestinely produce meth are an environmental problem because synthesis produces large amounts of toxic waste that can harm human life. Illegally produced methamphetamine appears in several forms, such as pills, capsules, powders and crystalline chunks. Solid chunks of methamphetamine appear as a whitish crystalline substance.

There are several ways to administer methamphetamine. Methamphetamine tablets prescribed for medical reasons are taken by mouth. Abusers using meth by mouth may mix it with other liquids, or wrap it in a small piece of tissue paper for swallowing (called parachuting). They also take it by other routes such as injecting its liquid form into a vein, snorting the powder, or putting it inside the rectum.

Methamphetamine effects

The main effect of meth is profound alertness. Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant of the central nervous system. Unlike other drugs that are denied entry to the central nervous system via the blood-brain barrier, meth readily enters the brain, where it activates noradrenergic neurons. This results in stimulation of the nervous system. Methamphetamine also activates the parts of the brain responsible for sensation of satiety, causing appetite suppression.

Meth is abused mainly to achieve euphoric effects. When injected or vaporized (smoked), methamphetamine immediately induces an intense and extremely pleasurable sensation (termed a ‘rush’ or ‘flush’). Swallowing or snorting methamphetamine produces euphoria (termed as ‘high’) after which users typically experience agitation that may lead to violent behavior. However, adverse effects of meth can include:

convulsions

increased blood pressure

increased heart rate

insomnia

irritability

nervousness

reduced appetite

Methamphetamines can also help obese individuals start reducing caloric intake, since it temporarily reduces your appetite. Therefore, doctors prescribe methamphetamine (or more precisely, methamphetamine salts) to treat ADHD and for temporary management of obesity. Doctors only prescribe methamphetamine after performing complete evaluation to the patient, and they calibrate doses regularly.

Is meth addictive?

Yes. Meth is highly addictive. Its potent action and long duration of effects attract users. When taking meth becomes habitual, loss of control often follows. Once a person gets “hooked” on meth, it can be very difficult to quit and long-term meth addiction treatment is required. The main signs of addiction to meth include:

continued use of meth despite negative consequences to health, home, or work

extreme cravings, compulsion, or obsessive thinking about meth

loss of control of meth use: using more meth than intended, or in greater frequency than intended

People take meth either via injection, ingestion, inhalation, or insertion into the anal cavity. After meth enters into the bloodstream, it is carried through the circulatory system to the brain. Meth’s damage has damaging effects which are physically manifested in user’s appearance. Learn about how meth works in the brain and body here, with a section at the end for your questions.

Interrupting addiction requires determination. Learn how reputable crystal meth rehab centers work to help you rebuild a new life. More on what to expect from rehab, with a section for your questions at the end.

Rehab is often necessary to treat a meth addiction. The average cost of meth rehab is from $7 for 10 weeks of outpatient treatment to $20K for inpatient rehab. While cost can be a deterrent for many individuals who need treatment, read on to find out more about meth rehab and how to reduce its costs here.

Physical addiction to meth is manifested in 1) growing tolerance to the drug, and 2) occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. What can you expect when you get physically addicted to meth and what can you do about it? We explain here.

Meth withdrawal usually lasts two weeks and includes depression, extreme fatigue and increased appetite. Read more about standard meth withdrawal protocols here. Find out what awaits you on the journey to sobriety!

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It was the first last time I smoked meth was about 9 months ago and for three days then stopped it and that’s it never think about again(all was got).Since last week i smoke it everyday and for almost last 8-10 days and i felt that i am increasing the amount day after another and experienced how nasty the stuff is , it became at the top of my daily things to do list which makes really feel very unhappy with myself (because this is totally not me) I’m a good man i suddenly reduced the amount to 1/2 pre for last two days for the purpose to throw it away ASAP somewhere That is impossible to return to it or even think about it but I’m not really sure whether what I’m still the same strong person to do what i planned for,i just want to close this page forever.
Thanks

My husband left me and out 10 year old son 4 days before this Christmas, my boss is a drug and alchahol counselor she told me my husband was definitely using. He has not spoke to me or our son he lied to us did not show on christmas, I live at my job so we are safe from the drugs. I cry all the time how do we recover from this. I know he is using his new gf uses. I am a good girl no drugs no drinking no smoking wha

a.j.r.c.k.k.5525

12:18 pm January 16th, 2017

My husband is an active, everyday, meth addict. He cant function due to the extreme physical pain he’s in for the first 3-5 or 6 days ATLEAST, & after that has sub-sided mental/emotional- unstability starts to take place even more intense than before. So with him ATTEMPTING this “COME DOWN” he was given some “advice” from someone who hasnt experienced addiction to OUR EXTENT….but for whatever reason he choose to listen to a “wanna-be-puddle-slut-“whore”, & he decides to take her “advice” instead of listening to his BEGGING, LOVING, CARING, DIFFICULT FREAKIN FAMILY..who ONLY wants the best for him and for him to come home & FIX HIS FAMILY, before its too late!! !😈💔😔💔😓💔😭💔👎✌♥💩🙏….😇💞😍💕😗💜😘💖😚💚👌💝👍💘l👐❤👊💓👑💋💯💯!!!! Anyways, the point of my mini-vent/mini braekdown..my main problem tonight is..he did approxamitely 4/8-12 mg bars (WHOLE, AT ONCE) & he ABSOLUTELY NEVER TALkES ABOUT WTF IS GOING ON WITH him, his personal affairs, legal issues, OR custody problems with our children….shit tonight i had to wjeel

John

7:27 pm January 21st, 2017

I’ve been smoking meth since yesterday morning. No sleep last night and still smoking today. My blood pressure is actually lower than my usual (125-135/70-80) Have never experienced anything like this. HR is normal as well. I did take 50 mg Viagra yesterday around lunch time…..Could that possibly have kept my BP and HR so low?? The meth is obviously working, because I am still up and going strong. Note: I always check my blood pressure when high because I get a bang out of seeing how fast I can get my heart and just how high my BP will go..

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

6:04 pm January 25th, 2017

Hi John. I suggest that you check in into a hospital just to be sure you’re okay.

maggie

2:35 am April 3rd, 2017

My husband is an active, everyday, meth addict. He cant function due to the extreme physical pain he’s in for the first 3-5 or 6 days ATLEAST, & after that has sub-sided mental/emotional- unstability starts to take place even more intense than before. So with him ATTEMPTING this “COME DOWN” he was given some “advice” from someone who hasnt experienced addiction to OUR EXTENT….but for whatever reason he choose to listen to his brother & he decides to take his advice” instead of listening to his BEGGING, LOVING, CARING, DIFFICULT FREAKIN FAMILY..who ONLY wants the best for him and for him to come home & FIX HIS FAMILY, before its too late!! !♥….l!!!! Anyways, the point of my mini-vent/mini braekdown..my main problem tonight is..he did approxamitely 4/8-12 mg bars (WHOLE, AT ONCE) & he ABSOLUTELY NEVER TALkES ABOUT WTF IS GOING ON WITH him, his personal affairs, legal issues, OR custody problems with his mom he yelled at her like she was noting

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

1:19 pm April 4th, 2017

Hi Maggie. I suggest that you look into the CRAFT model for families and interventions. One NGO called Allies in Recovery has some online reading that can help: http://alliesinrecovery.net/about-craft/

Pat

12:58 pm April 5th, 2017

I was heaivly involved with the “Meth” scene when I lived out west, Had a terrible habit, when I came home for a visit, my family could not believe what they were looking at ! I went from 240 pounds to just under 162 pounds. I came home to confess that I had a problem, and needed help and I got it. The name of the facility is Milam Lakeside Treatment Facility it is in the metro Seattle area. It saved my life. I have not touched the stuff since I walked out. That was 17 years ago. If I can quit , so can you.

Guy

9:30 pm April 7th, 2017

A general question? Can meth be used recreationally e.g. Once every other month or do people inevitably slip into dependence?

Tara

3:51 am June 8th, 2017

Me and my husband decided to do a meth run while the doctor’s meds detox out of our systems! After about two weeks of this we will just spend a lazy week today to give our bodies time to recoup. Well today is our 3rd day and I snorted a line of glass aka meth it was no bigger then the ones before I have not needed more yet. What happened was so horrible! I flew back in the worst pain ever worse then the normal pain from the one I did before. It just kept getting worse and it was so bad that I literally laid flat as a board on my back on our bed and tried to hold absolutely still in case any movement would somehow aggravate it more. Within a minute or so of getting all straight I had to sit up the burning​ was worse laying down! I was actually slumped over my knees on my bed for two hours almost! I was also shaking very badly like as if I was having a full body seizure! So while paying attention to the shaking which helped keep my mind off the pain from the meth rail it was all very freaky! So now it’s like six at night and this is where I’m at. My throat and tung and everything in the way of me just being able to swollow like normal. I’m having severe panic attacks from each time I have to naturally just swollow and it feels like I’m being choked by my own tounge. I noticed that I am not breathing very well probably do to the pain and worry. I did stand up a little white ago and just fainted so now I’m paying attention to my oxygen intake. This was the third time in a row nothing at all happened the first two days??? Is any of this a possible mini of? Maybe part was that​ and then yes I doid Dawn on me the meth is so bad for you and it has nothing but chemicals in it and now that I think of it yesterday when I did the line before this one that kicked my butt !I snorted it and it stung but that normal sting wasn’t my problem that drip was! I have the worst gag reflex ever and I was wondering if follow through and help those lines of dope get through because I would have puked then all those chemicals were just sitting up in there till the next dose!!! Wow I hope this sounds good any other ideas!?!

Lala

8:20 pm June 20th, 2017

I need to do a urine drug test I’ve been clean from meth for 8 months but my boyfriend still uses I want to know if I will come out dirty because we are intimate he uses about 3-4 days of the week

Evan

6:36 pm June 26th, 2017

Quit smoking and snorting this stuff in march and stayed away since it made for a couple weeks of low energy and feeling down right terrible but I pulled through and quit smoking weed and cigarettes too I tapered off marijuana helped me quit cigs and meth which are far more destructive in my mind

Redhead

6:21 pm November 2nd, 2017

Well I’ve been using approximately 4 years now it started around and after the time frame of me having my twins I was overwhelmed bills were piling up because me and my soon-to-be ex-husband already had two boys both under at the time the Twins were born under the age 4 so then it was a four-year-old a two year old and a switch and a set of newborn twins their daddy was the only one working I had a job which while I was pregnant with the twins cause me to be on bed rest so I was unable to work we were all stressed I went back to work and also tried to keep up with the everyday have to of a mom and it was just so stressful until one day my soon-to-be-ex-husband pulls out meth in front of me I’ve always been against any and every kind of drug known to man but at the time my husband was like here babe just just try this this will give you some energy and you won’t feel so tired and at first I was against it and refuse to try but then I tried it and it was the worst mistake I’ve ever made in my entire life even to this day my ex says he wishes he had never introduced it to me we begin doing it more often spending way more money on it then we already didn’t have we end up starting going into debt losing everything that we had built together we started fighting really bad physically and emotionally and in front of our children which ended up causing DHS to take our children from us all four of them they were placed in custody with my ex’s mother and father and we got them back and our custody approximately 6 months after DHS took them well we had them back for maybe 2 months and we were still using as well and I guess I just got really depressed and felt like he didn’t love me anymore and so one day I took like 12 200 m Seroquel pills that my husband was prescribed when we were going through the first process of trying to get our kids back in our custody he was prescribed them by his therapist to help him sleep and so I took like 12 of them me being only a hundred and fifteen pounds took a mighty big effect on me really quickly within 10 minutes I was out of it but with all fairness I wasn’t trying to kill myself my kids were with me today I took those pills and you know what I’ve done I put my kids in my car and I took them right up the road approximately a mile up the road to my dad’s house and I told them what I had done and that I wanted the kids somewhere safe because I knew Within a few more minutes I wouldn’t be in my right mind so my parents call the paramedics they put me in the psychological Hospital as well as try to help me overcome my meth addiction and my mood swings and somehow through the process of me being in the hospital DHS was once again notified and my children were once again taken that was back in November of 2016 and here it is November 2017 and we still don’t have custody of our children and we are still as far as I know on my end anyway I’m still using methamphetamine even if it means that I lose my children completely I just couldn’t give it up no matter how hard I want to I just don’t have the willpower to actually do it not even for my kids and I am very ashamed of myself to say that but in my head I want to get clean I’m just scared of the detox process and I don’t want to go into any facilities either I need help of what I need to do to try to help me get through this process I have a good job that also prevents me from any inpatient facilities and I also have mood swings and some type of mental emotional situation already going on without even starting a detox process so I’m really scared to know what my mood will turn into to stop cold turkey but I’m going to have to do something because I can’t afford to keep on losing any more than what I’ve already lost

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

4:46 pm November 8th, 2017

Hi Redhead. Call the helpline you see on the website to get in touch with a trusted treatment consultant who can help you find the best rehab for you.

Jennifer

12:18 pm November 26th, 2017

My friend buys meth almost everyday he is always s accusing someone of owing him and if he can’t buy meth everyday he wants Suboxone to help him come down from meth is this normal

Rubix

4:46 pm December 27th, 2017

I consider myself a long time meth user. I might not use meth 12 days out of a month. I’m ready to completely quit. I know I have to quit for obvious reasons. I’m trying to get my lisence back. I lost them about 10 years ago. Last time I went to court I had to do classes but because I had no transpo. I only went twice. Now I’m struggling to stay clean and so far so good. I’m curious what kind of screening test does Az MVD does to get your liscense reinstated. Is it the hair or urine test? Thank you.

I had a question I recently was smoking for 4 years then quit for 8 months gained over a hundred pounds so I started smoking again for the last past month and all I’ve done is gained weight even though I make sure I eat drink water sleep what is the problem if I want to lose weight??? Someone tell me please

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

2:44 pm January 29th, 2018

Hi Hi. Meth is not used to lose weight. It’s illegal drug that can lead you to addiction.

DARLENE

8:57 pm January 30th, 2018

HI,I STARTED SNORTING METH YEARS AGO BUT LIKE A COUPLE TIMES A MONTH . BUT THEN STARTED USING MORE. HEN WHEN MY HUSBAND AN ME WOULD ARGUE WHO IS AN ALCOHLIC AN CRACK USER THEN I FOUND MYSELF TURNING TO METH MORE AS A PLACE TO HIDE TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM ANY HURT OR FEELING THAT WERE HURTFUL. IT BECAME A PLACE I CALLED “MY OWN LITTLE WORLD” AN BECAUSE THE ARGUMENTS BECAME MORE FREQUENT AN SOMETIMES INTENSE I TOOKA SNIFF AN I WAS OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE . THEN 2 YRS AGO I WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPTAL WITH INFECTION IN MY LING THE DOCTOR CAME IN AN SAID ARE YOU USING METH I HAD TO TELL HIM BUT I FELT SO STUPID . A PERSON AT MY AGE 55 SHOULD KNOW BETTER, WEL AFTER 5 DAYS IN THE OSPITAL I WENT HOME AN STAYED CLEAN FOR 4 MONTHS IT FELT WONDEFUL…BUT THINGS STARTED GOING WRONG AN THE FIRST THING I DID WAS FOUND MY OLD FRIEND METH AN THAT WAS IT MY SOBRITY MY HEALTH EVERYTHING GONE I HAVE NEGLECTITED MY HEALTH MY BODY MY LOOKS EVERYTHING I SO WANT TO QUIT THIS NONESENSE BUT SCARED OF THE WITHDRAWL I GET ANGRY WHEN COMING OFF AN ANY LITTLE THING SETS ME OFF MY MARRIAGE IS GOING DOWN HILL FAST MY HUSBAND WONT EVEN LOOK AT ME CAUSE I LET MY SELF GO I CANT EVEN LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO BRUSH MY HAIR CAUSE I HATE LOOKING AT THE UGLY PERSON ON THE OTHER SIDE I DID THIS TO MYSELF SO I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER AN PAY FOR IT IT IS JUST TERRIBLE. I WISH I NEVER LET ANYONE CONVINCE ME TO USE BUT I DID AN THIS IS THE PRICE I AM PAYING THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO

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